Submitting an unsolicited application letter to a hiring manager can show that you take initiative to go after what you want, but it can be an unwelcome irritant if you write it poorly. You may be nervous about writing this type of letter, but do not let it get the best of you.Make your letter worth the time to read. Whether you are writing to follow up on an impromptu conversation with a hiring manager or approaching a new startup business that you admire, taking the first step well will make a great impression. Promote yourself by writing professionally and organizing your skills and experience into an easily read package. Study our unsolicited application letter templates and writing tips to make your letter look great and stand out.
While waiting in line at the coffee shop, Maxwell happened to strike up a conversation with a manager at Nexus Communications, a company that he has admired for a long time. Maxwell wants to take advantage of this opportunity to thank the manager for the conversation by writing an unsolicited application letter to inform the manager of his skills and experience that would be a great fit for the company.
Dear Mr. Jacobson,
I enjoyed talking with you briefly yesterday when we were in line at Main Street Coffee House. I was especially interested in your comments about the challenges communications companies face. I have long admired Nexus Communications for its approach to integrating cloud technologies in its full line of products. I agree that consolidations in the communications industry need to happen with high attention to detail in regards to cloud utilization and storage.
Through my work as a senior database administrator for Accent Communications, I believe that cloud infrastructure feasibility will be a major issue in the future. In my five years at Accent, I have emphasized proper oversight of system architecture to minimize service issues and downtime.
I am interested in hearing about future opportunities at your company, and I have attached my resume for your convenience. I am passionate about the expanding capabilities that technology offers companies and would appreciate a chance to find out how my skills and experience can fit in your organization. Thanks so much for your time and consideration.
While it may seem awkward to write a letter to someone you have met only briefly, use the first paragraph to quickly talk about the common ground you may share. It could be an industry that you are both in or a conversation you had together. Keep your introductory paragraph brief and to the point.
The second paragraph transitions into explaining your relevance to the professional concern at hand. Show that you have done research and are knowledgeable about the type of business the individual you are writing to is in. Keep in mind that this professional only has a limited amount of time to read your letter, so only include essential points. A rambling letter that has little structure will end up only half read. Including your resume as an attachment lets you include all of your experience in the letter.
Some of the best letters of this type seem like they are directly talking to the addressee. Bring up a challenge or growth area that the individual’s business is likely to have, and briefly tell how you would go about addressing it. End your letter with a positive statement directed at future possibilities and actions.
Take the time to personalize your letter as much as possible by using direct names if you know them and signing it with a salutation and your name. Remember to have someone proofread it, and make full use of spelling and grammar checking programs so that your letter is flawless. Study the unsolicited application letter template to see how you can utilize it in your particular situation.
Definitely avoid telling your life story in your unsolicited application letter. Not only does the receiver not have time to read it, a long letter chronicling your life from childhood on does not make a positive first impression. This type of letter should act as an introduction or a start of a conversation, not a comprehensive account of all of your experience, education, and skills.
Avoid mentioning experience or skills that have no relevance to the industry of the addressee. Superfluous lists of what you can do will only confuse the reader. Stick to one or two relevant points.
Do not make the mistake of using gratuitous flattery in your letter. Even if you have dreamed about writing this executive for a long time, keep your tone professional and cordial. When talking about the possibility of future opportunities, do not say negative things about the company you are currently employed with.
After you have sent your unsolicited application letter, follow up by continuing to do your homework about the company and industry that is relevant to the addressee of the letter. That way when the individual makes contact, you will have timely and relevant comments at the ready. Also, read up on the latest company news for an indication of possible opportunities.
If the receiver of the letter does not contact you, try reaching out through professional networks or social media. Never deluge a fellow professional with phone calls or texts. The individual may just be saving your information for when an actual opportunity arises.
1. Thank the reader for his or her time
Make a great impression with prospective new contacts by thanking them for the gift that they have already given you: the gift of their time. This gesture indicates that you are a considerate person who acknowledges professional courtesy.
2. Stick to relevant points
Keep your letter to relevant points about the industry that the company works in and your experience and skills that address it. Do not use the letter as an opportunity to regurgitate your whole resume; just attach it instead.
3. Use a conversational yet professional tone
Keep your letter in a professional format, but remember to write like you are having a conversation with a person at an industry gathering. The conversational and personable tone will have a better chance of capturing the reader’s attention.
4. Fill the letter with content and enthusiasm
Nothing sells you or your skill set better than showing that you know your stuff and you are actively interested in it. In the template letter, Maxwell makes relevant points about the communications industry and states how he has dealt proactively with its challenges. He also states his passion for technological capabilities in the communications industry.
5. Take the time to get it right
Take the time to do justice to your aspirations by writing a perfect letter. This means researching the industry and company of the letter recipient and checking your document for correct spelling and grammar.